In order to successfully implement a sustainable public health policy and develop good living and environmental conditions for the public, the project depends on varied and complex data. At the same time, it is important to improve knowledge about health and environmental conditions in other nations, focusing on similarities and differences.

The tool kit shall contain an instrument, gathering knowledge about public health through surveys. In these surveys, the inhabitants get to express how they experience their own health condition and the environment they live in. The surveys will be formed so that they can be adapted throughout Europe. It is not always easy to compare statistics on health conditions from different regions, as they are developed in different ways.

The surveys, to be carried out through HEPRO, play a part in a larger health- and environmental profile that the project is creating the guidelines for.

The tool kit will also show how health- and environmental profiles can be used in local public health planning. The kit emphasises how the use of planning solutions can contribute to strengthening local democracies. It turns out that when inhabitants get the opportunity to take responsibility for their own neighbourhood, the probability of good public health increases.

Facts about the project Background for project: European countries face several similar health challenges that can be solved through preventive and health promoting initiatives. The possibilities of succeeding in public health work increase when a number of factors and different environments of knowledge unite to solve these challenges.

Time frame: The project lasts from the autumn of 2005 to 2007.

Expenses: HEPRO is estimated to cost 2 million Euros. The project is supported by the EU-program INTERREG III B.

Participants and their involvement: The project involves participants from WHO´s network of Healthy Cities. Oestfold County Council is the Lead Partner. 32 partners from 8 nations are involved:

The aim of the project: In order to establish preventive and health promoting implementations that can give desired effect, public health work must be based on knowledge. More knowledge will enable a complete list of data, containing accurate information about the inhabitants´ health condition. The project aims to improve the level of public information, so that the decision makers can make correct decisions.

HEPRO shall play a role in setting public health issues on the political agenda in the Baltic Sea Region, both locally and regionally.

This will be done through:

Developing a number of tools to be used in health planning, based on participation from inhabitants, different sectors, authorities and non-government organisations.

Conducting a survey, as an important part of these tools. The survey will be conducted across Europe in order to describe health conditions, both regionally and locally. The results will form the background to make future priorities in health planning and develop democratic processes further.

Adapting educational programs, to be used as part of this tool kit. The project will also follow up the results from the survey.

Heprogress: A project supported by the European UnionProgramme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (2007-2013) and managed by the Directorate-General for Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities of the European Commission.